The Labor enquirer., 1887-09-03
Henry Georges Party, United Labor
syracuse. Aug. 10, 1887.

We, the delegates Of the United Labor Party
Of New York in state convention assembled,
hereby reassert as the fundamental platform
of the party and the basis on which we ask
the cooperation Of citizens of other states,
the following declaration of principles
adopted on September %, 1885, by the conven-
tion of the Trade and Labor Associations Of
the city OF New York, that resulted in the
formation OF the United Labor Party
Holding that the corruptions of govern
ment and the impoverishmento of labor result
from the neglect Of selfevident truths, pro-
claimed by the founder of this republic that
all men are created free and equal and are
endowed by their Creator with certain in
alienable rights. we aim at the abolition of a
system which compels them to pay their
fellow creaturesfor the use Of Gods gift to all
and permits monopolies TO deprive labor of
Its natural opportunities for employment,
thus filling the land with tramps and paupers,
and bringing about an unnatural competi-
tion, which tends to reduce wages to starva-
tion rates and to make the wealth-producer
the Industrial slave of these who grow rich
by his toll.
Holding, moreover, that the advantages
arising from social growth and improvement
belong to society at large, we aim at the abol-
ition Of the system which makes such benefi-
cent inventions as the railroad and telegraph
means for the oppression Of the people and
the aggrandizement Of an aristocracy Of
wealth and power.
We declare the true purpose of government
to be the maintenance OF that sacred right of
property which gives to every one oppOrtu-
nifty to employ his labor and security that he
shall enjoy its fruits; 10 prevent the strong
from depressing the weak and the unscrupu-
lous from robbing the honest; and TO do for
the equal benent OF all such things as can be
better done by organized society than by in
dividuals and we aim at the abolition OF all
laws which give TO any class Of citizens all adj
vantage. either judicial, financial, industrial
or political, that are not equally shared by
all others.
We call upon all who seek the emancipation
oflabor and who would make the American
Union and Its component states democratic
commonwealth Of really free and independ-
ent citizens, to ignore all minor differences
and Join with MS in organizing great ma
tional pasty on this broal platform OF nat
ural right and equal justice.
We do not aim ct securing any forced
equality In the distribution Of wealth. We
do not propose that the state shall sttemptt to
control production, conduct distribution, or
in anywise interfere with the equal rights of
Others. Nor do we propose that the state
shall take possession of land and either work
It or rent II out.
What we propose is not the disturbing OF
any nan In his holding or title, but BY abol-
ishing all taxes on industry or Its products
to leave to the producer the full fruits OF his
exertion, and by taxation Of land values to
the EXCLUSION of ofimprovemsnts, to devote to
the common use those Talues which, arising
not nom exertioa Of the individual, but nom
growth Of society, belong to the community
As whole. This Increased taxation Of land,
not according TO it, area, but according to Its
value, must, while relieving working farmers
and small homestead owners OF the undue
burdens now imposed upon them, make 1t
TO hold land forspeculation, and
thus throw open abundant opportunities for